Bond - You only live twice (Subway): Where to restore?

finepostervault

At the end of December, I got lucky again and won this wonderful poster for $425 including the buyer’s premium.

YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE (Gyrocopter, Little Nellie)
1967, Folded, Very Fine -
Subway (44.75" x 59") Style B
Artwork: Frank McCarthy and Robert McGinnis

It last sold at emovieposter in 2022 and 2015. At Heritage, it has appeared somewhat more frequently. Orson & Welles are asking $4,250 for this Poster. :-)

It has a few flaws along the edges, which were clearly visible. However, after the auction photo was taken, the beautiful poster was folded and/or stored incorrectly and developed some nasty creases in the typography. Heritage was willing to take it back without hesitation — of course. But only from my cold, dead hands. We agreed on a reasonable credit that will cover part of the upcoming restoration.

Now I find myself in the developing country of Germany/EU, and there’s no one here, at least no one I know of, whom I would trust with linenbacking.

So my question is: where should I send it? I’ve never done this before.

I wrote to the kind people at Poster Restoration (found them on YouTube), and they replied:

“I would recommend a gentle bleach bath to lighten some of that age toning in the paper, linen back to flatten and stabilize, and from there we can go back in and fill in any losses and tears, and restore color pigment to the creases within the poster. I roughly estimate this to be about $800.”

All in all, shipping, restoration, and VAT on the restoration service would cost me around $1,400. Add my original purchase price of $425 plus the initial shipping and import charges, and you’re easily at $2,000.

Phew…

Is that a fair price? Is it worth it? What do you think? Do you have other recommendations for me?

Would like to hear from you! 

Charlie

These guys looks legit and probably could do the work.

https://www.instagram.com/passiongraphique?igsh=bWZ5aTJmamkyMXFk

I like this group’s methods too:

https://www.instagram.com/affiche_francaise?igsh=OGU5bTdpdHF5Z2hs

Charlie

From France… closer to home.

Charlie

There are at least 15-20 linenbackers in the US another 10+ that I know of in Europe. I should clarify that there should be 10+ I don’t have all the European conservators’ contact info.

I would actually trust European backers more. US backers are restorers and will put irreversible acrylics and colored pencils on your posters.  European backers will keep it original and reversible.

finepostervault

Thanks, Charlie,

Great — I’ll contact the French guy. It sounds much cheaper as well. I have quite a few nice posters that could benefit from some linen backing and minor restoration work. I’m not sure why I hadn’t found him before.

Charlie

Nice. Yeah I’ve been following these two on instagram for a while. I like to study how other approach the practice. Hope it turns out well!

Bruce

"It last sold at emovieposter in 2022 and 2015. At Heritage, it has appeared somewhat more frequently. Orson & Welles are asking $4,250 for this Poster. :-)"

Check our Auction History more closely. It sold 5 times in 2025 and 2024.

https://www.emovieposter.com/agallery/film_title/YOU%20ONLY%20LIVE%20TWICE/tag/xtype%3Asubway%20poster/style/gyrocopter%20style/archive.html

finepostervault

Thanks. Will do it.